Across the globe, particularly in urban areas, the gap between the demand and supply of affordable and adequate housing is growing rapidly. This is particularly the case on the African continent, which is currently undergoing the most rapid urban transition recorded in our history. Housing, particularly when it constitutes a home, is the cornerstone of our social, economic, and emotional lives. Having a roof over one’s head epitomizes stability and security for an individual as well as their family. The current COVID-19 pandemic gave housing a new level of importance and also exacerbated inequalities between those with and without adequate housing. In this context, access to affordable and adequate housing is increasingly being recognized not only as a necessity, but rather as a fundamental human right.
Urban Development and Informal Settlements
About 200 million people in Africa live in informal settlements. As the continent’s cities face rapid growth, governments are facing the challenge of how to ensure adequate housing. Astrid R.N. Haas, who recently published a paper for the Pathfinders Grand Challenge on Inequality and Exclusion on how to make informal housing better talked with Voice of America about how to make informal housing better.